Asthma Care

Nearly twenty million Americans suffer from asthma, and unlike many diseases, asthma is not restricted to any one age group. Through Asthma Care, members can gain a deeper understanding and the ability to take control of this chronic disease.

How Asthma Care Works:

Asthma Care is designed to help members follow their prescribed treatment plan by providing education about their disease, medications used, potential complications and healthy lifestyle choices. Ultimately, it is intended to improve the overall patient-physician relationship.

Pharmacy and claims data is monitored to identify members at a higher health risk for asthma. Then, these members are contacted and receive the following individualized care management from a DAKOTACARE Registered Nurse:

• Individuals are contacted about program participation. Program materials are then sent to an individual’s primary care physician, and the individual receives an information packet that explains the program and includes educational materials.
• Program participants are risk-stratified, and our staff performs more intensive interventions with those identified as high-risk. Members are teamed with their physician, clinic and local area staff who provide:

o Documentation and tracking of medical care, including appointment reminders and referral assistance for support services;

o Assessment of member progress in self-management programs and reinforcement of any educational and compliance deficits through follow-up contacts;

o Continuous communication to assess and enhance current progress and compliance;

o Toll-free phone service for clinical and behavioral support as needed.

• Central data collection system maintenance for each member’s private information that serves as their overall plan resource.